Meretz leader Zehava Gal-On said on Friday that it was unfortunate that Prime Minister Netanyahu let Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Liberman convince him of the need for a ground invasion in Gaza, one that "was costing the blood of IDF soldiers and innocent Palestinians."

"We must not allow the brutal terrorism of Hamas to dictate what will happen, and so despite refusal of Hamas, Israel must continue efforts to reach a cease-fire, which only prevents bloodshed and suffering growing on both sides," she said.